GSA awards $4.9M R&D contract for space situational awareness to KBR Wyle Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,930,789 ($4.9M)

Contractor: KBR Wyle Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-08-01

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SBIR PHASE III TASK ORDER 06 SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND MISSION ASSURANCE IN SPACE OPERATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80914

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4.9 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: SBIR PHASE III TASK ORDER 06 SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND MISSION ASSURANCE IN SPACE OPERATIONS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical space situational awareness and mission assurance. 2. KBR Wyle Services, LLC, a known entity in government contracting, will perform the work. 3. The contract is a delivery order under an existing task order, indicating a continuation or expansion of services. 4. The R&D nature of the contract suggests potential for innovation and technological advancement in space operations. 5. The fixed fee structure provides some cost control, but the 'cost plus' element requires careful monitoring. 6. The contract duration of approximately one year allows for focused execution of specific tasks.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific R&D task order is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and comparison to similar research efforts. The 'cost plus fixed fee' structure means that while the fee is fixed, the allowable costs can vary, necessitating robust oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and directly related to the contract's objectives. Without more granular data on the scope of work and the specific research activities, a definitive value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source delivery order, meaning it was not competed. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when the work is a logical follow-on to a previously awarded contract. The lack of competition means that pricing and value were not tested against the open market, potentially leading to higher costs than if it had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of competitive pricing, as the government did not solicit multiple offers to find the best value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely government agencies involved in space operations, benefiting from enhanced situational awareness and mission assurance. The services delivered will contribute to the safety, security, and effectiveness of U.S. space assets. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting federal space initiatives. Workforce implications may include specialized R&D personnel within KBR Wyle Services, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition for this delivery order could result in less favorable pricing.
The 'cost plus' component of the contract type requires diligent oversight to manage allowable costs.
The specific R&D objectives and deliverables need clear definition to ensure successful outcomes.

Positive Signals

KBR Wyle Services, LLC has a significant presence and experience in government contracting, suggesting a capable performer.
The contract supports critical national security interests in space.
The fixed fee component provides a degree of cost certainty for the contractor's profit.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical and engineering sciences related to space operations. The market for space situational awareness and mission assurance is growing, driven by increasing satellite constellations and the evolving space domain. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other R&D contracts for advanced defense or aerospace technologies, often awarded through competitive processes.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award, there are no explicit subcontracting requirements for small businesses mandated by the competition itself. The prime contractor's subcontracting plan, if any, would determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the task order. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific R&D details might be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Space Force Operations Support
National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Contracts
NASA Research and Development
DoD Space Domain Awareness Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Cost-plus contract type requires diligent oversight of expenditures.
R&D scope may have inherent uncertainties in outcome and cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4.9 million to KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC. SBIR PHASE III TASK ORDER 06 SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND MISSION ASSURANCE IN SPACE OPERATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KBR WYLE SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-01. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the specific scope of work for this Space Situational Awareness and Mission Assurance contract?

The provided data indicates this is a 'SBIR PHASE III TASK ORDER 06 SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND MISSION ASSURANCE IN SPACE OPERATIONS'. While the exact deliverables are not detailed, SBIR Phase III contracts typically aim to commercialize technologies developed under earlier Small Business Innovation Research phases. Therefore, this task order likely involves applying or further developing technologies and methodologies for monitoring space objects, tracking potential threats, and ensuring the continued operation and security of space assets. This could encompass data analysis, software development, sensor integration, or operational support services critical for maintaining a clear understanding of the space environment and mitigating risks to space missions.

How does the 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' contract type typically function, and what are its implications for this contract?

A Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is a type of cost-reimbursement contract where the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred in performing the contract, plus a fixed amount for profit. The 'allowable costs' are those directly incurred and necessary for the contract's performance, subject to government audit and approval. The 'fixed fee' is negotiated at the outset and represents the contractor's profit. This structure is often used for research and development or complex services where the scope is not precisely defined at the outset, making it difficult to establish a firm fixed price. For this contract, it means the government will pay for the actual costs incurred by KBR Wyle Services, LLC, plus a predetermined profit. The implication is that the government bears the risk of cost overruns, but the fixed fee provides some predictability regarding the contractor's profit margin. Robust oversight is crucial to ensure that all claimed costs are reasonable, allocable, and allowable.

What is the historical spending pattern for KBR Wyle Services, LLC with the General Services Administration (GSA)?

KBR Wyle Services, LLC, and its predecessor entities, have a substantial history of receiving contracts from various U.S. federal agencies, including those administered through the General Services Administration (GSA). While specific historical spending figures with GSA for this exact entity and contract type are not detailed in the provided data, KBR is a well-established government contractor with extensive experience across defense, aerospace, and civilian sectors. Their contract portfolio often includes research and development, engineering services, and mission support. Analyzing broader federal contract databases would reveal a pattern of significant awards to KBR, indicating a strong existing relationship and proven performance record with government clients, including GSA, across numerous programs and task orders.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for R&D services?

Sole-source awards, while sometimes necessary for specialized capabilities, carry inherent risks, particularly for R&D services. The primary risk is the lack of price competition, which can lead to the government paying a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid. Without competitive pressure, there may be less incentive for the contractor to innovate aggressively or optimize costs. Furthermore, the government has fewer options if the contractor underperforms or encounters significant issues, as there isn't a readily available alternative. For R&D, this could mean delays in technological advancement or suboptimal solutions being developed. Ensuring strong contract management, clear performance metrics, and fair pricing negotiations becomes even more critical in a sole-source scenario to mitigate these risks.

How does this contract contribute to the broader goals of space situational awareness and mission assurance?

This contract directly addresses the critical and growing need for enhanced Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Mission Assurance (MA) in space operations. SSA involves tracking and understanding all man-made objects in orbit, from active satellites to debris, to prevent collisions and monitor potential threats. Mission Assurance ensures that space systems operate reliably and securely throughout their lifecycle. By awarding this R&D task order, the government is investing in the development or refinement of technologies, processes, or analytical tools that will improve its ability to maintain a safe and secure space environment. This is crucial for national security, economic stability, and the continued functioning of vital space-based services like communication, navigation, and intelligence gathering.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA25R0020

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Brown & Root Industrial Services Holdings, LLC

Address: 15020 CONFERENCE CENTER DR STE 100, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $58,458,941

Exercised Options: $14,582,528

Current Obligation: $4,930,789

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $2,727,674

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA21D0018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline